1km ropeway to anchor ₹56.81 crore Bhongir Fort conversion; Juplally unhappy about delays in implementation

Telangana Tourism Minister Jupally Krishna Rao talks about restoration of Bhongir Fort in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district during a visit on Monday (June 22, 2026) | Photo credit: MOHD ARIF

A 1,020-metre cable car capable of transporting up to 300 visitors per hour is set to be the centerpiece of the ₹56.81 crore makeover of Bhongir Fort, with Telangana Tourism and Culture Minister Jupally Krishna Rao directing officials to complete the project by October 2 and ordering the work to be carried out round-the-clock.

Mr. Rao, who inspected the ongoing development work at the fort on Monday (June 22, 2026), expressed displeasure over the delay in implementation and directed the officials to continuously monitor the progress to ensure timely completion.

Proposed facilities and restoration plans discussed

The facilities proposed at the lower station were discussed in detail, including a cable car, hotel, car park, toilets, children’s play area and decorative lighting of the rock garden. At the upper railway station, the Minister discussed plans for the restoration of the fort, beautification of water areas, buffet, interpretation center with the history of the fort, restoration of stairs, entrance square, ticket office, waiting room, restaurant and other tourist facilities.

Stating that the government is carrying out extensive modernization work to restore the grandeur of the historic fort, the minister said that Bhongir Fort will become a world-class tourist destination under the Centre’s Swadesh Darshan 2.0 program at an estimated cost of ₹56.81 crore.

The project, titled ‘Bhongir Fort Experiential Zone’, aims to preserve the heritage character of the fort while creating modern infrastructure and improving accessibility and visitor experience.

Estimated to cost ₹17.91 crore, the ropeway will be developed using monocable jig-back technology. The system spans a length of approximately 1,020 meters with a vertical rise of about 180 meters and will consist of six cabins and one spare cabin, each with a capacity of six passengers. It was designed to carry 250 to 300 passengers every hour and will operate at speeds between zero and six meters per second. The remaining ₹ 38.90 crore has been earmarked for restoration of heritage buildings and infrastructure development.

Telangana Tourism Minister Jupally Krishna Rao talks about restoration of Bhongir Fort in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district during a visit on Monday (June 22, 2026) | Photo credit: BY ARRANGEMENT

The project also envisages the construction of an administrative block, an entrance gate and an enclosure wall and the modernization of the existing WC block. A sculpture area, pergolas, kiosks with refreshments, seating and stone walls are being created. Other facilities include a viewing gallery, buffet, water areas, pavement paving, stone masonry work, restoration of stairs and sanitary infrastructure.

Monumental buildings on the hill are also being restored and an interpretation center with a tensile roof structure is being created. “Heritage preservation, modern amenities, better tourist experiences and ropeway would help increase tourist footfall,” the minister said.

Telangana Tourism Minister Jupally Krishna Rao talks about restoration of Bhongir Fort in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district during a visit on Monday (June 22, 2026) | Acknowledgments for the video: BY AGREEMENT

Published – 22 Jun 2026 12:01 IST